Herdsmen plan to kill me – Ortom

Benue State Governor Samuel said he has received information that there were plans to attack his convoy on his way to Abuja.

The governor revealed that the attackers plan is to kill his security personnel, kidnap and torture him before subjecting him to the most cruel death .

He stated that reason behind the plan to kill him is for daring to speak out on the invasion of communities in Benue State and the massive killings.

Governor Ortom said following the information, he sometimes took chartered flights to Abuja but that such flights have been stopped from landing at the Makurdi airport

He spoke at an interactive session between the Church, traditional institution and other stakeholders on peaceful elections in 2019, organized by the Makurdi Catholic Diocese.

The event was held at Pope John Paull II Pastoral Centre in Makurdi.

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Governor Ortom said so far those who are involved in violence such as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are not being punished even when they have sponsored large scale violence involving destruction of property arson and killing of about 20,000 people in 19 States of the Federation.

“If those that perpetuate violence like armed herdsmen, are arrested, prosecuted, jailed or appropriate sanctions applied on them, it will serve as deterrence for those contemplating violence in the future,” he stressed.

“Nigerians should use the 2019 elections to demand an end to the Fulani herdsmen’s aggravated violence.

The Federal Government must stem the violence and address the root causes threatening elections from holding in some States, he stated.

Actors including INEC, the Police, Judges and other State security personnel, neglect or fail in their duties during and after elections, giving room for violence.

He stated that actors like Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, Community Based Organizations, CBOs, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders, social and mass media must not relent in promoting and advocating for peace and community values that will strengthen our national unity.

According to the Governor, the main threat to peaceful election in 2019 is the incessant and devastating attacks by herdsmen in 14 States.

The Governor quoted media reports that between January and March 2018, at least 1,351 people were killed by herdsmen, Boko Haram and other forms of insurgencies.

 

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